First School Bills Passed: Virtual Education & Higher-Ed “Fresh Start”

The 89th legislative session’s first school related bill to be sent to the governor is SB 569-Bettencourt, a broad virtual education bill.

The bill repeals, from the Texas Education Code, references to the Texas Virtual School Network and instead allows ISDs and charters to deliver instruction through a combination of (as defined in the bill): 1) hybrid courses, 2) virtual courses, 3) full-time hybrid programs and 4) full-time virtual programs.

The bill defines student and teacher rights in virtual learning environments and allows schools to collaborate with private or third-party providers for virtual programs.

If signed by the governor, the bill becomes effective on Sept. 1, 2025, and requires the education commissioner to adopt implementation rules.

A Higher-Ed “Academic Fresh Start”

Meanwhile, the second school related bill sent to the governor this session is SB365-Eckhardt, that revises current law that provides for the right to an academic fresh start for students seeking to re-enroll in postsecondary undergraduate programs.

For admissions purposes, the bill allows public colleges and universities to waive consideration of previous academic records that are at least five years old instead of at least 10 years old.